How do you teach Maths and Literacy effectively in a country as linguistically diverse as South Africa? That’s the question at the heart of a major gathering taking place tomorrow, as non-profit organisation Funda Wande teams up with Wits University to explore multilingual teaching in the classroom. Researchers, teachers, academics and government officials will come together to unpack how learners can better grasp literacy and mathematics when taught across multiple languages — and what innovative teaching practices could mean for the future of education in South Africa. 

Guest: Ingrid Sapire, spokesperson Funda Wande's Maths Lead

We often hear your frustration about poor service in government departments — long queues, unanswered phones, missing paperwork, and officials who simply seem unwilling to help. To be fair, many public servants are working under immense pressure and doing their best. But there are also repeated complaints about employees who appear to be neglecting their duties, leaving the public angry and demanding accountability. The question is: can underperforming civil servants simply be fired? And what exactly does labour law require before the state can remove employees who are failing to deliver? 

Guest: Marthinus van Staden, Wits University School of Law professor

A 16-year-old Pretoria Boys High School learner has avoided expulsion after the Gauteng Education Department stepped in — despite allegations involving failed drug tests and threats against a teacher. Because he is a minor, we cannot identify him. Reports suggest the school wanted him removed after he allegedly tested positive for marijuana more than once, and after a disturbing incident in which he reportedly threatened to shoot a teacher — around the same time a video surfaced appearing to show him firing shots into a tree. So why did the Gauteng Education Department insist he stay in school, albeit under strict conditions? 

Guest: Onwabile Lubhelwane, Gauteng MEC of Education’s spokesperson

Johannesburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene and officials from the Jo’burg Roads Agency have descended on Witpoortjie Estate, where three massive sinkholes have opened up, threatening homes and infrastructure. Early indications point to illegal mining activity beneath the area as a possible cause of the dangerous ground collapse. 

Guest: Nomvelo Mkhize, Manager of Infrastructure and Land Use Business Unit at the Council for Geosciences

Financial advisor at Bryan Hirsch Colley and Associates, Bryan Hirsch answers the following money matters questions:

1. Why are individuals not saving enough for retirement?

2. What is the difference between a Living Annuity and a Fixed Annuity.

3. Is a Power of Attorney for life?

4. What happens if you die without a Will?

5. When comparing premiums with different life companies, why do they vary so much?

Prisoners of poverty get a fund to help with bail under R1000 

Former Constitutional Court judge,Edwin Cameron with his colleagues from the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services, Rebecca Gore and Sohela Rajpal have written an excellent book called Behind Prison Walls: Unlocking a Safer South Africa. The book coined a phrase on “prisoners of poverty”.  Justice Cameron joins 

Parliamentary Home Affairs Committee summons agencies over illegal migrants that bypass border control 

 Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mosa Chabane speaks to Joanne Joseph  about the committee's concern over buses being intercepted with undocumented foreign nationals and has bypassed the border. 

SA marks 20 years of same-sex marriage 

Civil society group, The Other Foundation, has spent part of Africa Month commemorating the signing of the Civil Union Act into law 20-years-ago in this country. It made South Africa the first country on the continent to embrace same-sex marriages. Two decades on, we're catching up with the foundation’s Sam Shapiro, who's an official marriage officer.

The South African Human Rights Commission’s attempt to tackle growing anti-immigration tensions appears to have spiralled into a heated online confrontation. The SAHRC hosted a virtual engagement aimed at addressing rising hostility towards foreign nationals, but emotions quickly boiled over as angry participants flooded the discussion, exposing just how deeply divided and frustrated communities have become over immigration in South Africa. 

Guest: Nomahlubi Khwinana, Commissioner at the SAHRC

Corruption Watch has released its 14th annual corruption report, titled Ke Nako: Mobilising for Justice, painting a sobering picture of corruption in South Africa. The organisation says corruption continues to affect nearly every sector of society — from policing and education to local government and state-owned enterprises — while whistle-blowers remain at the forefront of exposing wrongdoing, often at great personal risk. The report also marks the beginning of Corruption Watch’s Vision 2030 strategy, aimed at strengthening accountability and citizen activism in the fight against corruption. 

Guest: Lebogang Ramafoko, Executive Director at Corruption Watch